Dear Subscribers,
Dear Subscribers,
I am continuing to refine some of the
blog entries for the Apimondia Congress as time permits. The latest post has to do with the patron saints of beekeeping in the country. This is something not often emphasized in other parts of the western world. The Eastern Orthodox church has a long history of religious icons as part of its tradition. A
summary
of the difference between the Eastern and Western churches concludes:
“Another less apparent distinction between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity is their differing theological approaches, which perhaps is simply the result of cultural influences. The Eastern mindset is more inclined toward philosophy, mysticism, and ideology, whereas the Western outlook is guided more by a practical and legal mentality. This can be seen in the subtly different ways that Eastern and Western Christians approach spiritual truth. Orthodox Christians believe that truth must be personally experienced and, as a result, they place less emphasis on its precise definition.
I have also included posts from others attending the event, including a huge number of videos from
Victor Fursov (a Ukrainian scientist) and global reporter
William Blomsted.
On the heels of Apimondia 43, the 93rd edition of the Florida State Beekeepers Association met in Chipley, Florida. This is the territory of the Cutts family, now working on their fifth generation of beekeepers. A special
web site for this convention was created and included a raft of advertisers. The meeting brought together
three different beekeeping events: Florida Master Beekeeper Training, the annual convention and the third annual Panhandle Beekeepers Trade Show and Field Day.
The convention program featured something I have always been interested in as a geographer, using maps to help beekeepers in their management. Dr. Heather Gamper provided an update on the Apalachee Beekeepers Association's
viral mapping project. This experiment is expected to begin to inform beekeepers about how mapping disease (virus and nosema) can become a powerful indicator of colony health.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Fresh From Florida) also rolled out its mapping initiative of Commercial Citrus Production and Alternative Bee Forage: “This interactive online map illustrates the locations of: Commercial citrus land use, in general;
Commercial citrus groves where all of the trees are 1-5 years old (planted since 2007). Some of these areas may be treated with soil applied neonicotinoids that could pose risk to foraging bees if citrus blossoms are present (note: significant blossoming occurs in trees 3-5 years old);
Boundaries of Citrus Health Management Areas (CHMAs);
Boundaries of Apiary Inspection Districts.
“By clicking this
ArcGIS Online Link , you will access a map showing the location of commercial citrus land-use (grey and black). You also can see reset citrus groves (black) that were planted in their entirety after 2007. Trees in these reset blocks can range from 1-5 years old. Reset trees that are 3-5 years old can blossom and may pose risks to foraging bees if they were treated with soil-applied neonicotinoids prior to blossoming.”One can even make their own map using the
online application. Mapping has really come of age and is something that many don't realize is one of the best innovations to come out of combining satellite and Internet technologies.
There continues to be buzz about the effect of neonicotinoids on honey bees. The
latest evidence indicates that “ Scientists in Italy believe they have found a molecular trigger by which neonicotinoid pesticides may harm colonies of honey bees. The team’s experiments suggest that exposure to neonicotinoids results in increased levels of a particular protein in bees that inhibits a key molecule involved in the immune response, making the insects more susceptible to attack by harmful viruses.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), however, remains unconvinced so far it seems. However, the article concludes that, more evidence is continually pointing to possible harmful effects of this new class of pesticides on honey bees.
Canadian regulators also remain unconvinced at the moment, but are looking into this more closely according to the November 2013 issue of Alberta Bee News. Several agencies, including
Health Canada and its Pest Management Regulatory Agency (
PMRA) are looking carefully at the situation. Here's their conclusion so far:
“Following the evaluation of the 2012 honey bee mortalities it was concluded that the planting of corn seeds treated with the nitro-guanidine insecticides clothianidin and/or thiamethoxam contributed to the majority of the bee mortalities that occurred in the corn growing regions of Ontario and Quebec. The likely route of exposure was insecticide contaminated dust generated during the planting of treated corn seed. The unusual weather conditions were thought to have been a contributing factor.
"Based on the detailed analysis that has been completed for the 2012 honey bee mortalities and the information available (as of September 26, 2013) for the 2013 mortalities there are similarities in the information reported. The mortalities occurred in the same areas and most coincided with the start of corn planting. Levels of residues detected in samples collected in 2013 were similar to levels found in 2012. There was an increase in the number of reports received by Health Canada in 2013, however, it is not clear if this was due to an increase in incidents or an increase in reporting since Health Canada actively promoted the channels to report honey bee mortality after the experience of 2012.”
The same issue of Alberta Bee News contains a letter from the President's Desk. Grant Hicks concludes that “the health of Canadian bee stock is clearly not unequivocally superior to the health of American bee stock.” He says the continued embargo on American bee stock is “invalid,” and western Canadian beekeepers have “suffered under the eastern domination of the Canadian Honey Council agenda on this issue.
The most recent (September 2013) risk assessment, however, continues the ban on bringing in package bees instituted in 2003 for the same reasons: Africanized honey bees, Amitraz-resistant Varroa, oxytetracycline resistant American foulbrood, and small hive beetle.
As this debate rages in Canada, perhaps U.S. beekeepers can be somewhat heartened by the assessment of the health of their stock by our Canadian neighbors. Maybe, just maybe, things are not as bleak about the future of U.S. Honey bees as some would suggest.
Monsanto has announced its commitment to honey bee health via a partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). A
Catch the Buzz blast reveals that several organizations are supporting this effort, which appears to be headed up by the
Keystone Center. Here are the details of Monsanto's commitment published by the CGI: Estimated Total Value: $4,000,000; Commitment Duration: 3 years; Countries: United States of America; Canada.
Monsanto's commitment is to move dialogue into action by building a multi-stakeholder coalition to address declining honey bee health. The coalition will include the typical actors involved in honey bee health as well as new stakeholders, including agriculture commodity groups, industry groups, government agencies, environmental NGOs, and agriculture companies. Monsanto will address four honey bee health issues: 1) poor nutrition and declining habitat; 2) pathogens and pests; 3) pesticide impacts; and 4) economic empowerment of bee keepers.
See the latest information at the
Extension Bee Health Site
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Gleanings from the November 2013 Bee Culture:
Remember that Bee Culture now has a
digital edition.
Bob Hooker in Ohio asks enjoyed Jennifer Berry's July article on “Is It Really Natural.” And Jeanne Hansen, Madison, WI thanks her for the article on mites in the September issue.
Peter Molen, Hamilton, New Zealand was concerned about the
Catch the Buzz blast comparing heather honey to manuka honey and so wrote to pass on some “key bits of information.” See his
video on the fizz of the hydrogen peroxide given off by cells in the body, which might introduce error in determining the activity rating of any honey tested. See
other information on his website about this issue. John Phipps in Greece, Editor of the Beekeepers Quarterly, enjoyed the September issue. Tom Hill, Franklin, NC congratulates Ross Conrad on his August article about testing chemicals.
In the Inner Cover editor Flottum reviews the scene at the Mother Earth News Fair in
Seven Springs, PA. He also summarizes Bee Culture's first (hopefully not last)
Miles to go Program. Read a review of this event supplemented with pictures later in this issue of the magazine.
Kathy in “It's Summers Time --” discusses she and Kim's trip to Duluth, Minnesota and the fact that on their return they are down to 11 chickens producing only two (2) eggs.
Something new to read this month includes "The Fresh Honey Cookbook" by Laurie Masterton (Storey Publishing); "Bee Products for Better Health" by Leigh Broadhurst; the children's book, "Mr. Bee Man," Story of L.L. Langstroth by Rosalie Gabbert. Finally, check out "Salt Sugar Fat" by Michael Moss.
Clarence Collison takes a closer look at hemolymph (haemolymph) or bee's blood. Read how it is and is not like mammalian (human) blood and what the effect is of honey bee diets on its composition.
Stephen Peterson looks closely at the blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria). Read about its biology and the possibility of using it in various crop pollination scenarios.
Gudrun Beckh writes that the nature of honey is more than revealed by pollen analysis. Read the differences between honey analysis in the EU (Germany) and the U.S.
McKenna Princing visits
Evan Sugden at the University of Washington. Read what was discovered while interviewing both the professor and his students about honey bee research.
William Burnett and colleagues discuss the origin of red honey in Utah. Read what they discovered and what it might mean to the beekeeping community.
Lorraine Williams writes about a visit to perhaps the only wasp nest interpretive center in the world,
Laverlochere, Quebec, Canada
Read why wasps aren't all bad.
Brian Kulling builds a hummerbee for his beekeeping operation. Find out how he did it.
Jim Tew focuses on some things he thought he knew about bees. Read why plenty of mystery still surrounds one of the most studied of insects.
Larry Connor reveals that the most important years in a beekeeper's career may be the second and third. Read why this is so and what might folks do to avoid this.
Jeff Harris writes that he annoys beekeepers when suggesting that Varroa is a bigger problem than most other issues. Read why for him controlling the 800-pound elephant in the room (Varroa destructor) remains a beekeeper's most important challenge.
Phil Craft continues to answer questions in his column, "Ask Phil." Read what he says about hygienic behavior, feeding bees sugar water, and so-called “thin honey.”
Miles McGaughey looks at the recent Colorado flood and its effect on his and other honey bee colonies. Read why he might listen more carefully to his daughter in the future when she expresses fear of raging weather.
Jessica Lawrence looks at the bigger picture. Find out how she balances raising honey bees, chickens and her own offspring.
Ed Simon looks at building a standard bottom board. Read how he uses recycled materials for this activity and why the only direct cost is time and screws.
Connie Krochmal lists some quick-blooming biennials and perennials for honey bees. Read about Balerina Pinkball Sea-Thrift, flamenco red hot poker, Indian summer black-eyed Susan and lavender among others.
Ann Harman looks at beekeeper meetings in some detail. Read what's generally on the agenda and why.
Toni Burnham reveals some methods to locate honey bee colonies in “strategic reserves.” Read her list of key components
In “All the News that Fits” read Jim Bach's obituary by his wife, Fran, New Zealand's bee sector funding increase, and Mann Lake's gift of $10,000 to the U. of Minnesota's Bee Research and Discovery Center.
On the bottom board Ed Colby concludes he “got'er done.” Read his description of delivering a load of pollen to a trucker on his way to Texas from Colorado.
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
beeactor@apisenterprises.com
http://apis.shorturl.com
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